Looking For Something Real (Sword Art Online)

17. Like Riding a Bike

Chapter 17- June 7th 2025 "Like Riding a Bike"

Tokyo

It had been a long day spent with my brother. He had been insisting on spending time together as brothers ever since I had asked him for advice about Rika, it was obvious to me what his reasons were. But I suppose I did owe him, after all without him I never would have had the courage to ask Liz on a date.

Things had changed though and he seemed determined to bridge the gap between us. He seemed genuinely pleased at how well my first date went and even regaled me with the tale of how bad his had gone. It was strange seeing him mock his own bad decisions, perhaps he always had but I just never saw it through his mocking of me.

It was already 7pm when I returned home and I threw myself down on my bed with a thump. I had spent the day with him showing me around his university. It was huge and I probably walked further than I ever had before in my life. Even with all the working out I had been doing lately my legs were tired from just this trip.

I felt my phone buzz in my pocket and pulled it up to my face. A message from Liz popped up.

Hey are you home yet?

I typed out my reply.

Yeah just got in, why whats up?

I was wondering, could you jump into ALO and Help me and Silica on a quest?

My body was beat but my mind was still sharp.

Sure thing where should I meet you guys?

We're in Legrue

The Legrue Corridor was probably a half hour flight from where I was in Alne. But fighting my way through the mobs to Legrue itself would take that long again. It would be faster to meet the girls half way and fight through together.

Can you guys make it to the Alne Plateau side of the corridor? It'll be quicker to meet you there.

Sure thing see you soon, but please hurry. We need some payback.

Payback? What did she mean by that?

I grabbed the AmuSphere from my desk. And laid down on my bed. I could almost feel my legs sigh in relief. I uttered the words that could take you to other worlds.

"Link Start!"

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I had made it in record time to the Corridor, only 21 minutes which was a new personal best. I guess the drive to see Lisbeth and find out what that last message meant really lit a fire up my backside.

As I approached the corridor I landed and headed inside, Liz and Silica were nowhere to be seen so I guessed they were still heading up. My theory proved true as I rounded a corner and saw the pair dispatching some trolls.

"Hey girls, whats up?" I asked as I approached and Silica finished off the last mob.

"Come on we need to be quick!" Lisbeth said as she grabbed myself and Silica by the arms and started to march off back down the corridor.

"Whoa, what's the rush? What are you guys doing down here anyway?" I asked as I was dragged along.

"Liz was helping me with a quest which would have a trainer teach Pina some new abilities." Silica started.